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Tongue Control - Part 2
from Rev. Albert Francis Hoorman on February 5, 2012
"The tongue also is a fire...and is itself set on fire by hell" (James 3:6). Why is the tongue called fire? Because it gets so easily out of control. Whatever it burns is destroyed and brought to complete disuse; what is burnt is never the same again. It is called fire because what we do to ourselves is damaged, sometimes taking a long time to get things back in order again. It is called fire because we so often do irreparable damage to others—even people closest to us.
It is the fire of hell that motivates Satan to work so violently. Our tongues can become his best weapon to preserve the damage already done, and it is his best weapon to continue to spread evil.
In other words, Satan is on the road to hell and wants to take as many of us with him as possible. He wants us to get burned by our own words. He wants us to burn others by our evil choice of words. It takes place in families, in marriages, in business meetings, in church, in parking lots after Mass, in cars on the way home. "The tongue represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell" (James 3:6).
Hell was created for Satan and his fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). Satan fell by uttering threatening words such as "I will be like God" (Isaiah 14:14). The tongue brought about his own downfall. He wants to bring about our downfall and destroy all he can. His anger toward God, his hatred toward all that is good are so quickly displayed once we lose tongue control.
"No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). Why is the tongue called poison ? Poison destroys. So in order to inflict injury on us, Satan appeals to our fallen nature to say poisonous words—to make us feel bad and look bad. Satan himself feels that way, but he cannot get that across without our help. Our poisonous tongues oblige.
Poisonous tongues corrupt our whole being, says Saint James. We are left demoralized, weakened, compromised, defeated, and jaundiced. All is yellow to our jaundiced eyes. We become angry with our world… Our loved ones… Our friends… Our neighbors… Ourselves. We become untouchable. Defensive. Irritable. Full of self-pity. Full of callousness. When we speak in that condition, nothing comes out good.
Because the tongue is poison, we drink this deadly poison when the tongue is uncontrollable. We take poison into our system when we speak or repeat uncharitable words about others, when we speak to others in a way that make them feel inferior, when we are not gracious, and when we speak out of fear. So if we do these things, we are not only spreading poison, but we are also drinking it. It is almost like committing spiritual suicide. Speaking uncharitably is tantamount to swallowing deadly poison.
Keep in mind that Saint James is speaking like this so that we will see that God is not going to tie down our tongues; we will mourn for our sin and be ashamed for the hurts we have caused in the past and repent; and we will realize how damaging our words are to others. Seeing these things and being convicted by the Holy Spirit are what will enable us—with His help—to get closer to tongue control.
The purpose of Saint James' Letter is to change lives. The early Christians of Jerusalem needed to be jolted. Their lack of tongue control caused serious division in this early church. But it could not be more relevant for us in the twenty-first century as well.
CDA 2012
Because of You, the Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) is able to support over 70 educational, charitable and spiritual organizations which counsel, feed, clothe, house, educate, and comfort those in need throughout the four Arizona counties (Mohave, Maricopa, Coconino and Yavapai) within our Diocese.[ Catholic Education ]
Memory Training Series
Jan 17, 2012 to Feb 7, 2012 (10:00a - 12:00p)
Memory Training Series - Interactive Class Boosts Memory. Improve your memory in just two hours per week!
Tue, Jan 17, 24, 31, & Feb 7 from 10:00a - 12:00p, Rooms 3 & 4
Are you over age 50? Do you have trouble remembering names, dates and other information...but otherwise in good mental and physical
health? If you answered "yes," then our four week Memory Training class is for you. By devoting just two hours per week for four weeks,
you will have fun and improve your memory. This
program is based on research by Gary Small MD,
author of The Memory Bible.
Registration: 602-230-CARE (2273). Class is only $25 per person. Seating is limited, call today!
[ Memory Training ]
Women of the Old Testament
Jan 18, 2012 to Mar 28, 2012 (9:15a - 11:30a)
Join us as we study Women in the Old Testament in 10 sessions. These women have rich stories that are vital to God’s relationship with the covenant people. This study introduces readers to women whose stories offer courage and insight.
Welcome Registration and Introduction begins Wed, Jan 18 at 9:15-11:30a in Rooms 7,8,9. Book Fee: $15.00. Child care is provided free of charge. Pre-registration for childcare is required.
Please contact Loraine Pellegrino at CoffeBreakMin@aol.com or the Catholic Education Office at 480-893-1160 for additional information and to RSVP.
[ Coffee Break Women's Ministry ]
St. Gerard Circle - February Events
Feb 1, 2012 to Feb 29, 2012
Fri, Feb 3 - SGC Monthly Meeting & Mass of Remembrance, 9:00a
Sat, Feb 4 - Family & Kids Activity: Flag Football & Picnic ; 11:00a at Pecos Park
Wed, Feb 8 - Kids Activity: Craft Day
Fri, Feb 10 - MTO/Couples Activity: Trivia Night in the Parish center, 5:30p
Tue, Feb 14 - Kids Activity: Circle Time, 9:15a
For more information visit www.saintgerardcircle.org.
[ St. Gerard Circle ]
St. Gerard Circle - Trivia Night
Feb 10, 2012 (5:30p)
Join us for SGC's first Trivia Night on Fri, Feb 10 from 5:30-9:00p in the Parish Center. Cost is $20/person or $40/couple. Join in the fun by putting together a team of eight players. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the winning team. Players do not need to be SGC members. If you would like to play, but are unable to put together a table, let us know, we will add you to a team.
StContact Christin at christin@twinaz.com for more information.
[ St. Gerard Circle ]
St. Gerard Circle - February Charity
Feb 12, 2012
St. Gerard Circle will be preparing and serving a meal at the Ronald McDonald Cambridge House on Feb 12. We are looking for monetary donations to help off set the cost of the dinner. If you would like to make a donations please make your check out to Saint Gerard Circle, remember no amount is to small. We still have space for two more volunteers to help prepare the meal, please contact Chris Kumnick at pkumnick@cox.net if you are interested.
[ St. Gerard Circle ]
Tears Speak...But Spirits Soar
Feb 14, 2012 (7:00p)
If you are a woman who has lost a child or children to abortion and wish to heal the pain, please join us in a support group, on Tue, Feb 14 at 7:00p at the Mount Claret Retreat Center, 4633 N. 54th Street, Phoenix 85018 — room located in the Pope John Paul Center.
For confidential discussion, please call 480-838-7474 and ask for Patty/Tears Speak.
[ Abortion Support Group ]
Next KofC Assembly Meeting is Thu, Feb 23 at 7:00p in rooms 5 & 6.
Feb 23, 2012 (7:00p)
[ Knights of Columbus ]
Catholic Men's Fellowship Phoenix 2012 Conference
Feb 25, 2012 (8:45a)
Catholic Men's Fellowship is here to serve the men of the Diocese of Phoenix. We envision Catholic men linked as brothers, sharing the love of Jesus Christ. We believe that all Catholic men need to take their rightful place in their families, Church, and communities as men of God.
The 2012 Men’s Conference will be held on Sat, Feb 25 at 8:45a at Grand Canyon University Arena (3300 W. Camelback). Visit our website at www.cmfp.org/events for information on tickets and speakers. For additional information: Peter J. Hofmann at 602-531-7487 or pjh@hofmann84.com.
[ Mens Conference ]
Annual Lenten Parish Mission
Feb 27, 2012 to Mar 1, 2012
The Fathers of Mercy will be speaking at all the Masses the weekend of Feb 25 about this year’s mission. The mission sessions will take place Mon, Feb 27 through Thu, Mar 1 with opportunities to attend either in the morning or evening. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available after each session.
Fr. Joseph will be giving the mission talks in the mornings
following the 8:15a Masses.
The topics for each day will be:
Mon, Feb 27 - The Holy Eucharist
Tue, Feb 28 - God’s Infinite Mercy
Wed, Feb 29 - The Universal Call to Holiness
Thu, Mar 1 - Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fr. Tony will be giving the mission talks as homilies for the evening Masses at 6:00p.
The topics for each day will be:
Mon, Feb 27 - The Four Marks of the Church
Tue, Feb 28 - The Importance of Prayer in my Life
Wed, Feb 29 - God’s Mercy in the Commandments
Thu, Mar 1 - The Mass: Why Bother?
During the mission, both priests will encourage and challenge the parish community to make stronger, deeper, personal commitments to Christ and His Church. To support the Fathers of Mercy, they will be accepting donations and selling CDs, DVDs, and Rosaries throughout the week.
[ Lenten Activity ]
Next KofC Council Meeting is Thu, Mar 1 at 7:00p in rooms 5 & 6.
Mar 1, 2012 (7:00p)
[ Knights of Columbus ]
3rd Annual Nun Run
Mar 10, 2012
The Poor Clare Nuns invite you to participate in their 3rd Annual Nun Run. Registration for the 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile walk is $25.00 (until Feb 25) and includes a T-shirt and post race refreshments. The race is on Sat, Mar 10 at 8:00a at Kiwanis Park located at 95 W. Baseline Rd. in Tempe.
The Poor Clares are Roman Catholic Nuns who moved to Arizona in 2005 at the invitation of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. They are raising funds to build a monastery for 28 nuns near their chapel in Tonapah, Arizona. The Our Lady of Solitude Chapel is open to the public for Adoration and daily Mass. To learn more about the Poor Clare Nuns and to register/donate, please visit their website at www.desertnuns.com. Thank you!
[ Poor Clares Fundraiser ]
Morning of Discernment
Mar 24, 2012 (8:30a - 12:30p)
For Single Women & Men interested in learning more about Consecrated Religious Life
Come let us journey with you—join us in the discernment process. Sat, Mar 24 from 8:30a - 12:30p at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Sponsored by the Diocese of Phoenix Intercommunity, Vocation Committee and the Office of Religious. For more information or to register, please call Sr. Jean Steffes, CSA at 602-354-2006 or email jsteffes@diocesephoenix.org or contact 602-3542005 or mgonzal@diocesephoenix.org.
[ Discernment ]
Sonrise National Park VBS
Jun 4, 2012 to Jun 8, 2012
Save-the-Date! June 4-8, 2012 - SONRISE National Park Vacation Bible School is coming!
As your kids explore this awesome wilderness adventure park, they’ll learn to depend on Jesus as their all-powerful Guide and Savior. Get ready for exciting wilderness thrills as you head out to beautiful SONRISE National Park!
Registration will take place in Mid-March.
VBS is for children ages 4 years old through the 6th grade. The 6th graders participate in service projects in the local community.
[ Vacation Bible School ]